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February 16, 2011

Danao Adventure Park, Bohol.

Me, smiling excitedly just moments before the free fall.

At the beginning of 2010, I told my friend Edeena that we should do something crazy during the summer. She liked the idea and we planned a trip where we could try something new and adrenaline inducing. We got pretty busy during the summer though, it was already June when we tried The Plunge in Danao, Bohol.

Free falling 45 meters deep in between two mountain gorges was madness. The initial drop, three seconds of it, was the scariest part. I shouted at the top of my lungs and then laughed out loud. While it felt scary, it also felt quite liberating.

After falling, I swung from mountain to mountain, like a pendulum, 100 meters in diameter. And everything, at least in my eyes, looked like a movie in slow motion. I saw everything from where I was and they all looked beautiful -- the trees, the mountains, the river. The wind added to the drama. 'Heaven must feel like this,' I thought while I was swinging for a good five minutes. And for a moment, I thought I was already dead. Haha.

Free falling that day made me realize many things -- that I know I can do anything; that fear is just a state of mind; that it symbolizes many things that I've learned to let go in my life (people and feelings included).

It was the most wonderful experience.

And I would like to do it again.

My friend Chris enjoying the Plunge too much!

It was worth the two-hour trip from the Bee Farm (where we were staying) to the Danao Adventure Park. The place was absolutely beautiful! When you visit the place, try as many adventures as you can --

The Plunge (P700/person)

Sky Ride (P250/person)

Caving (P350/person/minimum of 5)

River Tubing (P200/person)

Kayaking (P200/person)

River/Mountain Trekking/Hiking (P200/person)

Wall Climbing (P100/person)

Rappel (60m) (P600/person/Minimum of 5),

Rappel w/ root climbing (P400/person)

Suislide (P350/person)

Tent Rental (200.00/rented tent, then 100.00/own tent)

Camping (P25 per camper)

Village Tour (P200/person)

Ziplet (P100/person)

There's an entrance fee of P25 for adults and children below 3 are free of charge.

You can go solo or go double. Edeena and Sharon decided to go doubles on the first round.

The Suislide was what we went to Danao for. I've always wanted to experience ziplining, and this one was truly awesome! My friend Sharon was quite afraid to try it at first, but she enjoyed it too much, she went for another round!

How to get there:
From Manila: Philippine Airlines fly to Tagbilaran daily. Check out their website for schedule.

From Tagbilaran, take a bus at the Integrated Bus Terminal. Buses leave the terminal at 5am, 6am, and 8am. Go early so you could do as many activities as you like. The park closes at 5pm. Bus fare is P75. The bus stops at the Poblacion, Danao. Take a motorcycle (habal-habal) to the Adventure Park. Habal-habal fare is P30 per person. Here’s a tip: Look for habal-habal drivers wearing a patch of the Danao Adventure Park logo.

You can also rent a van if you are traveling in a big group. Van rentals from Tagbilaran to Danao starts at P3,500.

What to wear:
Wear something comfortable. But do not wear short shorts because you’ll be in a lot of uncomfortable positions and you wouldn’t want those park guides to see what they shouldn’t. *grin*

What to bring:
Bring sunblock, water, food, extra clothing, and rain gear just in case the rain suddenly visits. Bring cash because there are no ATMs in the area. And don’t leave home without your humor and adventurous spirits.

What to expect:
Expect rugged terrains, beautiful mountains, fresh air, friendly park guides, good food (they have a restaurant at the park), and adventure of a lifetime.

On Travel

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”{ Mark Twain }

. . .

“We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls.”{ Anaïs Nin }